Video summary
In today's episode of Inkblot Alchemy, artist Kim Das Holm begins with a challenging session where nothing seems to work, leading her to seek a solution that is simple and effective rather than forcing a preconceived idea onto the random ink shape. Initially spotting vague silhouettes that felt compositionally weak, she decides to simplify the forms to find a viable direction. This process of letting go of rigid expectations allows the ink to guide the narrative, transforming a frustrating day into an opportunity for creative play and magic. The core philosophy of the series is highlighted here: it is not just about technical drawing skills but about embracing the unpredictability of the medium, whether the result turns dark, silly, or personal.
As the drawing develops, Kim interprets the ink shapes as a dramatic scene featuring a figure resembling Lucifer standing on a precipice in hell, holding a crystal or fruit while surrounded by spires and heat. She incorporates elements from Christian mythology and satanic imagery, such as hoofed feet and a strong jawline, to construct an anatomy that feels grounded yet ethereal. The composition evolves with the addition of fiery spatters that suggest heat without becoming literal fire, eventually leading to the creation of demonic bats circling above. These bats are drawn with varying sizes to create depth, some appearing large and imposing while others form a flock in lines, enhancing the chaotic atmosphere of the scene.
The final piece is titled "Rule in Hell," a concept inspired by the poet Aleister Crowley's idea that one can either serve in heaven or rule in hell, symbolizing the ability to take control of negative situations. Kim adds an Enso circle at the end to represent infinity and nothingness, completing the artwork before deciding to keep it despite her initial fears that it would be a failure. She expresses immense relief and happiness that she managed to create something meaningful after struggling with technical issues and creative blocks, proving that sometimes the best outcomes come from surrendering control to the medium rather than fighting against it.
The video concludes with Kim announcing that the original artwork is available for purchase or free download under a Creative Commons license, allowing viewers to remix and use it as they please. She also promotes her upcoming course, "Mastering Ink Through Negative Space," which delves deeper into the layers of skill and imagination required to create such spontaneous drawings. Although the course has taken longer to develop than anticipated, she remains confident in its value for those interested in learning her unique approach. Ultimately, the episode serves as a testament to resilience in creativity, showing how a day meant to be a failure can transform into a successful exploration of finding oneself within the chaos of the inkblot.
Read the full video transcript
Hi there. I'm Kim Das Holm and this is
Inkplot Alchemy where we use our
creativity to draw something from out of
nothing. Now, what will we find in
today's ink blot?
Ooh.
Instantly I see a couple of faces in
silhouette, but those might be difficult
to draw from this because the rest don't
quite add up and the composition don't
quite add up. And to be honest,
what I really want to do today is I've
just had one of these days where nothing
seems to work. So I want to do something
that
works and that's what I need to see in
the ink plot. So, while we keep looking
and seeing the possibilities, allow me
to briefly explain what inkplot alchemy
is. Two times every week, I draw
something from a random inkplot and
release the whole video unedited and
unscripted, except for this little intro
script. I might
mouth works today. I may have ideas of
what to draw, but the ink ultimately
decides the direction. It might get
dark, it might get silly, it might get
political, it might get personal. And if
you want to skip the whole process, then
you are free to do so. The final image
is marked in the video. But if you want
to come along, then random ink drawings
is not just about drawing. It's fun.
It's play. It's magic. It's inkplot
alchemy. Now, what did you see in the
ink plot? Have you seen anything so far?
If so, comment below and see if it's the
same as what I'm going to see.
So, yeah, one of those days. One of
those days
I have been sitting here trying to film
a video
and I've used hours
and nothing has worked.
Nothing. And it it's been a
whole chunk of different problems.
So I just need something to work here.
And for something to work,
I need it to be easy.
So I'll
go like this. simplify the shape
somewhat.
And then
right now I I I'm this is happening in
real time. I'm having a sinking feeling
that this isn't going to work.
This is
hopeless. Today is just one of those
days
where nothing seems to work.
Then
I'm actually seeing a cape here now.
And
we can do a sort of a
Dracula like figure
and
you can stand on something.
We can use this these shapes to indicate
his body.
And now I'm sort of
imagining a
Lucifer
on the cliff
in hell.
And let's let's just let's [ __ ] go
with that.
Have Satan help us out in our time of
need.
And
let's try
to
keep it simple
to indicate some
anatomy here.
hoofed feet.
A and I I I'm simply taking from all
sorts of
satanic imagery here or or
Christian mythology.
and I don't have
any sort of
plan yet,
but I'll have Satan holding a little
crystal or fruit.
And I'll
indicate the face here. Now I'll
probably go in with some
black ink.
Yeah, I want [sighs]
a strong jawline
on
Satan here. Ooh.
I'm liking this.
And I want him standing on this sort of
a on the precipice on a cliff.
But maybe the cliff is almost like a
like it's almost floating.
Maybe he's having a Hamlet moment
with a skull. I can still make that into
a skull.
And and I'm so
filled with this desire to
filled with a desire to fill
the page.
But what more
do I need? Actually,
I
can
have some
sort of spires
in
the distance.
But I I I'm
feeling that this is already
too much. It's already messing it up the
simplicity
of it.
And I think
I will
try to
let it be
indicate
indication of some heat or something. Is
it fire? Is it heat? I don't know.
[snorts]
Maybe. Yeah, I can actually make it into
slightly more fiery
with
like this,
but
not quite fire.
And then
I can do some
spatters.
Then I can do some bigger spatters
around in a circle.
And then I can take some of these
spatters
and give them wings. And some of these
like bats, [sighs]
like bats out of hell,
circling
above.
And we're just indicating
not really
drawing
many of them. We're just indicating
these shapes.
I want to have one or two
bigger ones so that you see
the shapes are almost demonic. Kind of
like
the bat symbol. Hey,
the demonic bat symbol.
just this flock of demons
and
they're all circling around.
And we need a couple of bigger ones.
They're coming in
in lines.
They're leaving up in lines through
the circle.
And now I'm starting to like this so
much that I'm holding my breath.
[sighs and gasps]
And I even know the title of it. So,
when I started
this video, I I really thought that
this would be something quick and easy
and silly and something one and done
just to have something that works. Today
I I I've been trying to film the same
godamn video, not this, but a video for
my upcoming
uh course called Mastering Ink Through
Negative Space,
which is a course where I delve into a
lot of the basic skills that have
allowed me to start drawing like this.
So, so if you are interested in like a
more indepth
approach to all the layers that's
happening, layers of skill and
imagination and stuff like that, then
there's a link underneath the video to
sign up for the
waiting list and you will get some
percentages off. And I've been working
on this course for a long time now, much
longer than anticipated, but but it's
coming
it's coming along. I think it will will
be really valuable. So So hopefully I'll
see some of you there.
Now
that little
fixing of that tiny little detail and
suddenly
it looks
more
three-dimensional.
Okay, I think this is it. And then I'll
just end with the Enso,
the symbol, the sun, the moon, infinity,
nothingness symbol
that I've appropriated from Sen Buddhism
and used to my own
to my own will.
And I will put that there. And if it
works, then I'll keep the drawing. If it
doesn't work, then it's just one more of
the things that didn't work today and I
have to tear up the drawing. That's the
rules. I didn't make the rules. I only
made the rules.
[sighs]
[gasps]
Perfect.
I'm so happy I made something
that worked today. I This wasn't what I
had imagined when I sat down.
I was just I have to do [ __ ] it. I have
to do something.
Can't let a day just go down the drain.
Quarreling with cameras and computers
and
my own inability to say words out of my
mouth in order words say should be said
in.
So,
this really
I'm relieved.
I I'm happy. I'm relieved. I didn't
expect this.
And I will
call it rule in hell
because that's what this
was about. It's finding yourself in
a negative situation and taking control
and ruling it.
Serve in heaven or rule in hell as the
poet said.
And that is inkplot alchemy number 21.
And I've signed it
and it's done. Inkplot alchemy number 21
is called rule in hell. And this one,
the original is available at
denunghide.com.
Prints are also available as we speak
and it will be uploaded for free use
under a creative common license. So you
can use it however you want personally
or commercially. You can change it. You
can uh remix it. You can do as you
please. Do what thou wilt shall be the
whole of the law as the poet said.
Where was I? Yeah, I didn't think this
one would come out like this at all. The
journey to get here surprised me a lot,
but I'm so happy I took the dive a and
made some ink blot alchemy.
And if you want to learn how I do this,
then sign up for the course called
Mastering Ink through Negative Space
where I talk a lot about all that goes
into something like this. And you can
sign up for the waiting list and the
course will be released soon. Um, yeah,
I'm very happy.
See you in a few days.